Britons are racing to install home air conditioning after the recent heatwave pushed temperatures to extreme levels, with demand soaring to record highs as households prepare for another spell of scorching weather.
New data from MyBuilder.com shows requests for domestic air conditioning installations have rocketed by 320 per cent compared with the same period last year, marking the highest level ever recorded on the platform.
The surge comes after millions of people across the UK endured sweltering conditions that forced schools and offices to close, while many struggled to sleep in homes designed to retain heat rather than keep it out.
Unlike properties in southern Europe, most British homes are built to cope with cold winters, leaving them prone to overheating during prolonged periods of high temperatures.
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The trend mirrors demand seen across Europe, where soaring temperatures and high humidity have driven homeowners to invest in cooling systems as climate extremes become more frequent.
With forecasters warning another heatwave could hit Britain next week, industry experts expect demand to remain elevated as more households seek permanent ways to keep cool.
For many homeowners, air conditioning is increasingly being viewed as a necessity rather than a luxury, particularly as repeated summer heatwaves expose the limitations of the UK’s ageing housing stock.
The latest figures suggest Britain’s approach to home cooling is changing rapidly, with extreme weather reshaping how households prepare for increasingly hot summers.
The numbers from MyBuilder.com – and its sister companies across Europe under the umbrella of Angi, showed that:
- In Germany, MyHammer saw numbers of aircon installation requests rise 7.4x year on year
- In the Netherlands, requests to Werkspot.nl were up almost four times as high YOY
- 1 in 3 home-improvement jobs posted in Germany on the peak day (28 June) were air conditioning related
People across Europe also spiked high enquiries for other cooling measures, such as ceiling fans, shutter installation, and outdoor awnings.
Andy Simms, a home expert from MyBuilder.com said: “The recent spate of extremely hot weather has underlined to many people that the majority of British homes and buildings are just not well-designed or equipped for high temperature events.
“Consistent spells of high heat make our homes heat traps, and it’s extremely uncomfortable – and sometimes even dangerous – to have no relief from it. It’s not surprising that our numbers are showing a huge spike in demand for air conditioning systems and other home cooling equipment.
“We’re seeing an unprecedented increase in demand for these systems as the heatwaves continue, as people realise that air conditioning may be becoming a necessity as temperatures continue to rise.
“There are various ways to cool down your home if you’re struggling – but investing in a more permanent cooling system might be the best way to keep your home comfortable in our increasingly sticky summers.”
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